Senate Finance Committee approved Senate Bill 896. The change could mean that the Hampton Roads region will have approximately $15,000,000 more in transportation funding annually. Check out this week's Legislative Review.

Virginia General Assembly approaches February 13th "Crossover. A January 30th letter signed by the Chamber, the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission and the Hampton Roads Military and Federal Facilities Alliance was delivered to members of the Virginia General Assembly. The letter referenced the fact that the issue of sea level rise and coastal resiliency is not just a Hampton Roads issue, but instead it is a statewide issue impacting the Port of Virginia, military readiness, business operations, tourism and the Commonwealth's bond rating. Check out this week's Legislative Review.

Hampton Roads Chamber President Bryan Stephens has signed on to a letter urging the General Assembly to invest in Metro by identifying a long-term, sustainable, dedicated and bondable revenue source with the Commonwealth's share at $154 million annually. More than 350,000 Virginians rely on Metro every day and the sales and income tax revenue impact for Virginia is more than $600 million annually. The letter was so-signed by several regional chambers and business associations as well as the Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

The Hampton Roads Chamber recently signed on to a letter urging Washington policy makers to oppose new regulations on freight rail under consideration by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board. These new regulations would undermine the ability of railroads to reinvest capital in the rail network. Check out the rest of this week's Legislative Review.

The Hampton Roads Chamber will be represented throughout the 2018 Virginia General Assembly session with staff and volunteer leadership providing key testimony and lobbying daily in support of the business agenda. Check out this week's Legislative Review of the 2018 Virginia General Assembly session.

The 60-day General Assembly Session is in full swing as the legislature will adopt a two-year budget and consider several thousand bills and resolutions. The Hampton Roads Chamber will maintain a strong presence throughout the session.

The Association of American Railroads (AAR), world leader of railroad policy and research of the U.S. freight rail industry - assessed the role that trade plays for freight railroads. The AAR report released in March, offers a compelling look at the relationship between North American railroads and international trade.

The Port of Virginia serves as a global gateway to commerce and a driving economic engine for the Commonwealth of Virginia and the contiguous states of the Mid-Atlantic. The Port of Virginia's CEO and Executive Director John Reinhart provides an update on their record year and infrastructure investments.

The 46-day Virginia General Assembly session adjourned sine die on February 25th. Over 1,800 bills were considered in a legislative session highlighted by the adoption of a $107 billion dollar budget. The Hampton Roads Chamber was represented throughout the session with staff and volunteer leadership providing key testimony and lobbying daily in support of the business agenda. Check out this week's "Legislative Review" and be sure to follow us on Facebook.

As legislative issues of importance to the business community are considered at the state and local level, the Hampton Roads Chamber will keep you informed by providing weekly updates. Check out this week's "Legislative Review".